Summer Food Program Report 2003–2007

This Report Highlights

• Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) growth in Oregon during the summers of 2003 to 2007.
• Current SFSP gaps and the need to continue expanding the program to feed more low income Oregonian children during the summer.

"I think the summer food program is so important! You wouldn't believe how many kids show up for our program and haven't had breakfast.Having a summer food program gives them a safe place to get a good balanced meal. Life can be tough at times, and having the summer lunch program can really help families out." - Stacy Simpson, Resident & Staff at Troutdale Apartments

Summer Food is Important Because:

• When school ends and summer vacation begins, SFSP provides meals to children who rely on free and reduced price school meals during the school year.
• USDA research finds that food insecurity rates
increase for households with children in the summer, and the increase is greater for states with low summer meal participation rates.

Highlights from Summers 2003-2007:

• 201 new summer food sites.
• 49% increase in the number of summer meals served to children.

Summer Meals Expanded Because

• Community partners and government agencies worked collaboratively to increase participation rates.
• A simplified version of the program reduced paperwork, ensuring maximum federal reimbursements within Oregon. Yet There Are Still Gaps . . . Not al eligible kids have acces
• The summer program does not reach all of the kids who depend on school meals.
• In 2007, the summer meals program only reached 26% of children who eat free and reduced price meals during the school year.

If summer meal participation could reach at least 50% of children who eat free and reduced price meals during the school year, Oregon would receive approximately 3.7 million additional federal dollars to stimulate the local economy and strengthen summer programs.

Summer food families speak

In August of 2008 the Oregon Hunger Task Force held two focus groups in Portland, one at Mt. Scott Community Center and at the New Columbia housing development. The intent of the focus groups was to learn about the experiences of parents whose children use the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Eighteen women participated in the two focus groups.

Mothers, aunts, grandmothers and caregivers brought 40 children with them for an evening of dinner and conversation.

The majority had used the program for 2-3 years, though three had brought children to eat for more than 10 years.

Over 70% attended meals 4 or more days a week.

Key themes of the Focus Group:

Increased outreach is neded

Many families don't know about the program.

Clearly advertising the program as "open to all" would reduce the stigma parents often feel.

Both fod qualit y and onsite experience are valued

Activities and community building are appreciated aspects of the program.

Parents appreciated the fruits and vegetables served, but felt kids needed more variety.

Atmosphere, staffing, and meal quality strongly affects parent's willingness to participate.

The program is vital to famil y's fod security

Meals for parents would benefit the whole family and increase participation.

The program is necessary in helping families meet their food budget and nutritional needs. "I've been going to the program for 16 years and I've observed that for a lot of kids, this program means everything. I see that if it wasn't there, they would really have a terrible time." In Their

Own Words Outreach

Most parents described learning about the free meals from friends,
family or a caseworker. Flyers sent from teachers, as well as signs at meal times, were suggested as good ways to advertise.
"We just moved here, and a neighbor came over to welcome us and told us there were free meals in the park."
"Nobody told me there were meals, it was like, hidden. I guess I'm nosey, but I stumbled upon it while looking for the bathroom. It's so underused, nobody knows that it's there."

Meal Site Experience

In general the participants were impressed with the free meals, but would have liked more input on the variety
of food.

"I can tell they are trying to make the food more healthy - whole grains and things - I really appreciate it - but there are still things I think can be improved."

"Maybe sometimes they could have something different than sandwiches."

Many caregivers planned their whole days around the activities offered with lunch.

Summer camps are so expensive, this is all I did this summer - the free meals and the park."

Family Benefits

Women emphasized how the free summer meals helped them stretch their budget and feed their families.Our Food Stamps have gone down this year and these meals really help."
It was also agreed that having access to additional meals would be welcome.
"[It] would have been nice if the program went to the last day [of summer]."
The awkwardness and stigma of not being able to eat with their children was a major drawback for many.
"I think it is something that should be stressed that the parents should be eating with the child because it will help the child - but some parents are as just as hungry as their child, and they will feed [their child] before they will feed themselves - which is right - but in order for them to be a better person they need something [to eat] too."
The rising cost of food and fuel were a concern to all participants, especially as they looked toward the winter.
"This is the first year we won't qualify for WIC or free school meals because we've just moved up the income bracket. And it's just in time for all the prices going up."
"I was hurting last year, but I'm hurting more this year. If it weren't for the program I don't know what I'd do."